Selection of Retrieval Techniques for Irradiated Graphite During Reactor Decommissioning - 11587
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
WM2011 Conference, February 27 - March 3, 2011, Phoenix, AZ Selection of Retrieval Techniques for Irradiated Graphite during Reactor Decommissioning - 11587 D.J. Potter*, R.B. Jarvis*, A.W. Banford*, L. Cordingley*, and M. Grave** * National Nuclear Laboratory, Chadwick House, Birchwood Park, Warrington, Cheshire, WA3 6AE, UK ** Doosan Babcock, Baltic Business Centre, Gateshead, NE8 3DA, UK ABSTRACT Globally, around 230,000 tonnes of irradiated graphite requires retrieval, treatment, management and/or disposal. This waste has arisen from a wide range of reactors, predominantly from the use of graphite moderated reactors for base-load generation, but also from experimental research facilities. Much of the graphite is presently still in the reactor core while other graphite is stored in a variety of forms in waste stores. The first step in the management of this significant waste stream is retrieval of the graphite from its present location. Doosan Babcock and the UK National Nuclear Laboratory are participants in the CARBOWASTE European research project which brings together organisations from a range of countries with an irradiated graphite legacy to address the graphite waste management challenge. This paper describes the issues associated with retrieval of graphite from reactors, potential approaches to graphite retrieval and the information needed to select a particular retrieval method for a specified application. Graphite retrieval is viewed within the context of the wider strategy for the management of irradiated graphite waste streams. The paper identifies the challenges of graphite retrieval and provides some examples where modelling can be used to provide information to support retrievals design and operations. INTRODUCTION A four year collaborative European Project ‘Treatment and Disposal of Irradiated Graphite and other Carbonaceous Waste (CARBOWASTE)’ was launched in April 2008 under the 7th EURATOM Framework Programme [1]. The aim of the project is to develop best practises in the retrieval, treatment and disposal of irradiated graphite (i- graphite), addressing both existing legacy waste as well as waste from graphite-based nuclear fuel resulting from a new generation of nuclear reactors (e.g. V/HTR). The consortium is led by Forshungszentrum, Juelich (FZJ) in Germany and involves 29 partners from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Approximately 230,000 tonnes of legacy graphite exists worldwide. The majority of this irradiated graphite, or i-graphite as it is referred to in this text, currently resides in the WM2011 Conference, February 27 - March 3, 2011, Phoenix, AZ UK, France and the former Soviet Union and results from the use of commercial power- generating reactors. Irradiated graphite is also found in demonstration and research reactors in many countries around the world. The CARBOWASTE project was set up to develop integrated waste management strategies for legacy i-graphite reflecting the diversity of policy and regulations that exist between the various states of the European community. In the UK, for example, i- graphite is considered as waste unsuitable for disposal in the existing LLW (low level waste) repository while in France plans are to dispose of i-graphite at a considerably shallower depth than has previously been considered in the UK. The research team considered how an integrated solution could be developed. It was recognised that a ‘toolbox’ approach would be necessary, developing knowledge based on previous practise, where possible, that individual States, utilities or regulators could further develop to provide local solutions. The CARBOWASTE project comprises 6 principal work packages: Work Package 1 Integrated Waste Management Approach [2, 3] Work Package 2 Retrieval and Segregation Work Package 3 Characterisation and Modelling Work Package 4 Treatment and Purification Work Package 5 Recycling and New Products Work Package 6 Disposal behaviour of Graphite and Carbonaceous Waste 29 Beneficiaries in 10 European States and South Africa, who have examined the gaps in knowledge, are undertaking specific tasks to fill in gaps and developing a toolbox of techniques to assist waste managers and others to reach preferred and pragmatic solutions. The project is also promoting knowledge, understanding, and skills among new entrants to the industry, a key EU requirement. Current experience of legacy i-graphite retrieval and segregation comes from the completion of several decommissioning projects. These include; GLEEP Research Reactor Harwell, Windscale AGR, Vandellos 1 silos, Fort St Vrain and Leningrad NPP. An overview of three of the above cases is given in this work. Currently no i-graphite core removal from large scale commercial reactors has been observed. This paper presents the main findings from the work package on retrieval and segregation of legacy waste. The work has focused mainly on the two approaches that might be adopted, via retrieval and segregation in-air or underwater. The paper also gives some examples of where developments in modelling may assist the planning of graphite retrieval and segregation. WM2011 Conference, February 27 - March 3, 2011, Phoenix, AZ RETRIEVALS AS PART OF AN INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY As part of the CARBOWASTE project, a set of criteria for assessing different integrated waste management options has been defined [4]. The criteria are shown in Figure 1. Each of the criteria was expanded into a set of sub-criteria to reflect the information needed to assess an option. This process was completed for the whole lifecycle of a graphite treatment option and so is outside the scope of the present paper, however those parts directly related to retrievals are summarised here. The selected waste route has a significant impact on every stage of the integrated waste management strategy, including retrievals. In addition to this, the key issues impacting on an integrated waste management option directly related to retrievals were: • Economic Cost - Preparations Needed: the structure must be assessed to determine ability to access the graphite requiring retrieval; restrictions may be imposed by the size of penetrations or weight limits. If existing cranes are to be used then these may impose load or access constraints. There may also be a need to fit equipment for the suppression of dusts, depending on the retrieval technique chosen. The radiological properties of the graphite and other parts of the reactor structure must be defined. This allows the crucial selection of when remote operations can be replaced by hands-on operation. Hands-on operation is more flexible and cheaper, but is not possible if radiological dose to workers would be too high. There is also a need to prepare utilities and infrastructure and to perform R&D to develop and test equipment. • Economic Cost - Men/Machines/Treatment Needed: the performance of the men and machines to be used will dictate the duration and cost of the retrievals phase. The i-graphite condition will affect this choice and the assessment must take into account the changes in graphite properties during reactor operation. For example, the graphite swells and blocks may interlock, and the graphite becomes porous and may not be sufficiently strong to allow some types of grabbing during retrieval. • Worker Safety - Radiological Safety: Dose to workers must be minimised. This may make hands-on operations difficult or impossible early in retrievals. It may be possible to perform remote operations to allow man access later in the retrievals process, or to increase shielding. • Worker Safety - Conventional Safety: a retrievals site possesses the usual hazards associated with demolition: falls from height, asphyxiation and so forth. This may suggest the use of machines for certain tasks. • Technology Predictability - Technical Risk: this affects the likelihood of the equipment performing as planned. Highly complex equipment often carries high risks of unforeseen operational difficulties in an active environment if it is inadequately tested. Conversely, hands-on actions can often be deployed more flexibly, although unforeseen levels of radioactivity may bring work to a halt. Minimising risk by maximising retrieval system operability is a key consideration for retrievals. WM2011 Conference, February 27 - March 3, 2011, Phoenix, AZ Retrievals Assessment Criteria Economic Cost and Benefit Environment and Public Safety Worker Safety Security Technology Predictability Stability of Employment Burden on Future Generations Figure 1: Retrievals assessment criteria THE GENERIC RETRIEVAL AND SEGREGATION PROCESS The CARBOWASTE project developed the generic flow diagram for retrievals and segregation which is shown in Figure 2. The key influences in retrievals process selection were identified above. In summary these are: the primary waste route, the access within the reactor, the i-graphite condition, the working environment, and operability. The generic flow diagram is intended to fit the majority of i-graphite retrieval and segregation projects. Each step of the flow diagram is discussed below. Sampling Plan Access to Handling/ Segregate Dispatch Core Removal Figure 2: Generic flow diagram for an i-graphite retrieval and segregation process WM2011 Conference, February 27 - March 3, 2011, Phoenix, AZ Plan The planning step requires the following information to be obtained: 1. Regulatory requirements. 2. Description of the original reactor design.